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Jaguars’ Greg Newsome II talks whirlwind week after surprise trade from Cleveland Browns
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- Jaguars’ Greg Newsome II talks whirlwind week after surprise trade from Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Greg Newsome II was playing video games when the call came in. His agent was calling to tell him the Jaguars wanted to trade for him.
Only one thought crossed his mind after that.
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"Let's do it," he recalled.
From there he had to pack a bag, soothe his crying daughter, figure out what would happen with his apartment in Cleveland , catch a flight to Jacksonville, meet new coaches, staff members and teammates and try to get up to speed with a new playbook.
Seems simple enough.
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"[I'm] super excited to feel wanted," Newsome told reporters after practice. "My agent told me, 'They wanted you. Cleveland didn't reach out, they wanted you.' My goal is to do whatever I can to make their decision right."
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Newsome practiced with the Jaguars for the first time on Oct. 10 ahead of their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 12. He said he was getting tips from teammates on the field and has had extra meetings with the coaching staff to try and get him up to speed.
Head coach Liam Coen said the plan is for Newsome to play this weekend thanks to some crossover between Cleveland's defensive scheme and the one defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile runs.
"Whatever coach decides I'll be down for it. I'm trying to play as much as I can," Newsome said. "I love playing the game of football, but whatever I can pick up and retain and whatever coach's decision."
Greg Newsome wants to help keep the Jaguars on track for most takeaways in the NFL
Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) reacts to a ball sailing out of bounds during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Newsome recorded 37 pass deflections with three interceptions in five seasons with the Browns. He's logged 178 total tackles with six for a loss and two quarterback hits in his career.
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Now, he's joining the league leader in takeaways and wants to keep them on track.
"I'm super excited to be here," he said. "Be with this defense, number one in takeaways right now."
The Jaguars made the trade for Newsome because they felt that his skills meshed well with Campanile's system. He agrees and is looking forward to getting back into a system he felt was beneficial for him.
According to Newsome, the Browns ran a similar system during his rookie season under defensive coordinator Joe Woods. Newsome recorded nine pass deflections in 12 games his rookie season which is the second-most in a single-season in his career.
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"I think that was one of my best years of football. I'm super excited to show my versatility," he said. "Play some zone, play some man and do a lot of different things. I think I'll fit great with this scheme."
Greg Newsome reflects on career with Cleveland Browns after whirlwind trade to Jacksonville Jaguars
Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) reacts with cornerback Denzel Ward (21) on a third down stop during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Browns defeated the Jaguars 18-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Newsome spent five years of his career in Cleveland. He appeared in 59 games with 47 starts for the Browns, carving out a role in their defense after being selected in the first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
He was a member of a respected secondary around the league, led by cornerback Denzel Ward . Newsome said he had some time to come to terms with his departure from Cleveland since the trade.
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"I definitely sat for a minute. The biggest thing is just the guys. I've been with some of these guys my entire career, especially a guy like Denzel Ward," he said. "That's my brother for life so not to be out there on the field with him is definitely going to be hard."
Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) reacts on a third down stop during the first quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Browns defeated the Jaguars 18-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Something that'll make the trade a little easier to manage in that regard is the connection between some of Jacksonville's players and Newsome.
He played with safety Kahlef Hailassie on the Browns and knows Josh Hines-Allen from Exos, the training facility both use in Arizona during the offseason.
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Something else that'll smooth the transition is going from a one win football team to a four win football team.
As a member of the Browns, he was scrambling to find the solution to their problems. Now with the Jaguars, he'll be able to add to the success.
"In Cleveland, you're sitting there mad like we've got to find a way. Then when I get here, I'm like, we just won," he said laughing. "I didn't play, but we just won. This feels amazing, I'm just going to try to do my best to help them keep this trend up."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars' Greg Newsome wasn't expecting trade, wants to play this week
